How to make world's simplest LED flasher

Hi ! here is how you can make simplest LED flasher circuit using single transistor. This circuit is known as esaki oscillator.
When capacitor charges and reaches to certain voltage breakdown occurs in Emitter collector juction of transistor and current starts flowing from capacitor to transistor and LED.
components:
2N2222 transistor
330 ohm resistor
4.7 ohm resistor
220uF capacitor
LED
LIKE & SUBSCRIBE

[@solitarysandpiper8491]

i find it very satisfying when these simple circuits work and they almost always do... but not this time!

[@raypooley1312]

It has been a while since this was uploaded but I feel the need to point out that the 2N2222 is an NPN transistor with a CBE pin arrangement when viewed from the flat side. So, the pin that is referred to in the text at the outset as the EMITTER is actually the COLLECTOR. Base is in the middle and the one on the right is the Emitter.

[@TheRealAbrahamLincoln]

The video is correct. The emitter is on the left side when viewed facing the flat side as shown in the video.

[@mihirdutta-DPSi]

🙏 Thanks for the schematic (0:11) and for mentioning about Esaki oscillator. Esaki oscillators are known to work with best with a 2n2222A. As you can see, the transistor is working in an atypical manner, notice that the transistor has nothing connected to the base and result is not guaranteed for other class of transistors.

[@christiannielsen3863]

Great example of how footage does not go well with music.

[@nacejehart4849]

You also commented on another "led blinkiner" video

[@salihaydin229]

Turn sound off.

[@johnanderson9619]

The smaller capacitor can't hold as much charge, so it needs to fill more often and probably for longer too. But 100uF is good, because it's really small, and takes a charge really easily even with higher resistances (millions ohms), ... But yeah, I can see how this works. Nice work. Looks like the base is floating too.

[@raymondcortez6373]

What was the capacitance value on the second capacitor? How much volts and how many microfarads?

[@milespeterson5049]

Okay so I power on the circuit and the LED does not flash even though I followed the circuit precisely, the LED is just steady on all the time. how do I fix this problem?

[@doomguy3603]

having the same issue, would love a fix

[@ProphetTLK]

as predicted, it doesn't work!

[@DZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZ-w4n]

It works! This is a circuit named Esaki Oscilator and it is a real thing.

[@Recicladorcreando]

​@@DZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZ-w4nes que no todos los transistores funcionan con esta versión, yo lo experimenté, y así pasó 👍🇲🇽

[@RandomRobloxuser-mx6xi]

Any video with this music that’s about electricity is fake

[@RandomRobloxuser-mx6xi]

Or something

[@alvieteal]

No the capacitor finally allows the voltage to become positive and makes the led blink..... so many better ways of doing this that actually allow the transistor to perform its real function

[@imho2278]

hear hear.

[@HARUN-AKSU]

how the transistor works without no voltage source to base

[@prtk19]

This video is actually fake, transistor can't work without base connection 👍

[@HARUN-AKSU]

@@prtk19 oh okay

[@andrewsartscalemodels]

Great video. Thank you!

[@EmoBoiLink]

I'm guessing that the speed of the flash depends on the type of capacitor right? More olms is more rapid flash? or less olms is more rapid flash because it takes less to discharge?

[@creektilghman9187]

My works too. Used Avasva handbooks and build it with no problems.

[@Recicladorcreando]

OJOS 👀 NO TODOS LOS TRANSISTORES FUNCIONAN, asi que tienes que probar varios números, lo digo porque yo lo hice, y eso fue lo que hice, hay que tener paciencia, suerte😊👍🇲🇽

[@SaBNexTime]

Hello, for 4,5V what capacitor and resistor should I use? :) Thx in advance

[@curiosity551]

It wont work on 4.5v

[@imho2278]

You need to run the cct at .002A and using 2.5Kv after the battery will do this. However you only get 0.66v to the diode which isn't enough to light it. The transistor, being floating, cannot amplify the current.

[@vipulreddy2667]

Can I use 220 ohms resistor instead of 330 ohms resistor

[@skovdesurvival4022]

yes

[@imho2278]

you'll increase your current to .003A

[@RameshPal-cd4cs]

Very good. Thanks. Is it works on 9 volt battery?

[@abcdhacks5011]

great i like projects

[@hinaparveez7515]

can i use bc547 transister

[@michaelcarney262]

Could I connect this with 4-5 different circuit board. Each circuit board has 1 led so All of the circuit board will connect to one 12 v battery ?

[@voltariantechnologyinc.8594]

If you connect each board in parallel, yes.

[@aguswidi9316]

What to change to use only 5v input?

[@pjeva9982]

calculate rezistance and capacity

[@النجيبللإلكترونيك]

same components that you have but not working i want some one explain to us how dos it work

[@olivierj.2435]

Why is it working because there is no current between base and emitter ? Thanks

[@moesoeaung27]

Can I use 13001 transistor?

[@angelcajis630]

i used 9v battery, bc547, 220k ohms resistor, and 10 microfarad of capacitor and it worked with 3mm led. also if you want to use two or more leds, just connect it in parallel. note that emitter and collector of 2n2222 and bc547 are reversed

[@pistiberez]

Hi,with 1 BC547 how many leds can connect?

[@mrpapi1557]

how is this working? owo, the npn type transistor must have its base powered

[@user-ht9rv7kl9v]

MrPapi Yeah but imagine the transistor as a diode pnnp (pn / np )

[@soumadipghosh6521]

Explain plz

[@athuldas44]

How transistor is working without providing base current

[@reloadersjournal]

I'm new to electronics and thought I understood why this circuit worked but now I don't. First, I thought that transistors only conducted current from the Collector to the Emitter when a lower current was also applied to the Base. On further reading, it seems that if enough voltage is supplied to the Collector, then current will flow through the transistor to the Emitter without any current supplied to the Base bit this can actually damage the transistor. I looked at the data sheet for the the 2N2222 transistor that's used in this video and it looks like the maximum voltage that can be used between the Collector and Emitter is 40Vdc?. However the circuit in this video is only using 12Vdc so how is the transistor allowing current to flow without any voltage to the Base? Assuming I"m reading the data sheet correctly, you would need over 40Vdc to force current through the Collector to the Emitter to make this circuit work?

[@peatmoss4415]

It's called an Esaki Oscillator, at least 12VDC and read the datasheet for the transistor you are using to correctly use the Collector, Emitter and (Base not needed). And use a resistor to protect the LED.

[@mytrainhobby5318]

What would happen if I tried to run this on a 9-volt battery? How do I make it blink slower, even smaller capacitor?

[@curiosity551]

You could try it with 9v. But im not sure if it works. Yes you need a smaller cap for fast blinking.

[@ontaca]

if i use 9v battery , what resistors and capacitor do i use?

[@russtorque2993]

It would be helpful if u showed what the breadboard looks underneath

[@tylerbrothers6840]

Will this work on a 3 volt circuit?

[@crazykayzee845]

what happens if we try using a 9v battery instead of a 12 v power supply

[@tigercat1690]

Will not work. About 11.6 v are necessary.

[@NANO-SERWIS.MAREK-DASZKE]

Not work .

[@svmsremember2898]

Bahi dusara transistor nhi hoga....?

[@hasibulhasan5970]

220microF and voltage?

[@xgamerbih]

Do I really the resistors if I want to connect like 50 LED diodes?

[@curiosity551]

+XGamer [CRO] if you are connecting them in parallel you do need a resistor (around 50 ohm) before all the leds.like a resistor in series with all paralell leds.im talking about current limiting resistor.the one which goes with capacitor is essentially needed for timing.

[@xgamerbih]

Thanks!

[@jjdragon1993]

where did you get the design from?

[@peatmoss4415]

It's called an Esaki Oscillator, at least 12VDC and read the datasheet for the transistor you are using to correctly use the Collector, Emitter and (Base not needed). And use a resistor to protect the LED.

[@leoniebottomley1456]

could i replace the led with a vibration motor? would it work the same to create a vibration as when the LED is on in thus circuit?

[@curiosity551]

It probably wont run well because its the charged capacitor that provides energy to led. If you use motor instead, capacitor will discharge quickly and motor wont get enough time to start. A big capacitor would do but its value would be much large. Also you need medium size transistor for running motor.

[@achiko427]

how is the electricity going from the collector to the emitter if the bass isn't connected to anything? pls help

[@thuydang3668]

how do electricity go throght transistor?.

[@tomdcheriya3198]

Sir,can I use 4.5v instead of 12v

[@curiosity551]

No u cant

[@sinewave3323]

You should use 5v and just re calculate the resistors. R = volts / amps = Ω.

[@Konstantin_.]

@@sinewave3323 can u do it for me? Idk how to

[@imho2278]

​@@Konstantin_. Learn it. But I will tell you, you only get .66v and the led needs a lot more than that to work.

[@imho2278]

​@@sinewave3323 5v divided by ( resistance by .002A.)

[@gurunathkamble7573]

Chaan

[@cad_krenovaku]

Like ur simple blinking led👍 #bantukuhw

[@imho2278]

as the transistor base is not connected it is only acting as a tunnel diode. It will break down very quickly. Not a good circuit to build.

[@billywhizz98]

Can you do a tutorial on how to make Led indicators using a flash capacitor and resistor for a9v battery

[@imho2278]

use Ohms law and figure it out. voltage over resistance to get answer of .002 amps.

[@breadboardrookie3762]

`it worked!

[@nyattorney1927]

All you need to do is turn off and on your power supply to make the LED blink.

[@TheHopson]

I thought it took a signal at the base to allow current to flow though collector/emitter?

[@curiosity551]

This circuit works on different idea. It works due to reverse breakdown voltage across EC junction which causes current to flow.

[@HolidayDecorator]

Wrong. The transistor configuration you state is using the transistor as a diode. Diodes conduct current in only ONE DIRECTION, they do not do reverse breakdown voltage in the way you speak of, that could possibly destroy the diode or transistor. Current only flows one way when used as a diode, therefore, this circuit would NOT need a transistor to function, you could replace the transistor with a simple 1N1004 or similar diode and the circuit should still work by your definition. It won't. The transistor is used as an automatic on/off switch along with the other components that cause the L.E.D. to blink, if the transistor is not wired correctly for this type circuit, the L.E.D. may never illuminate or it may illuminate, but it will not flash.

[@curiosity551]

I mentioned eb junction instead of ec junction. My bad, but i wont agree that the circuit does not work due it reverse breakdown. In fact, it does. The NPN transistor is connected with emitter to positive and collector to negative. That way eb junction would never get forward biased unless voltage at base is more positive than emitter by 0.7v. So transistor surely isnt operating in forward biased condition. It is the high enough reverse voltage across ec junction that causes breakdown. Diodes cant be used in this circuit as you said, reason being the sharp voltage drop across reverse biased transistor when reverse voltage is increased. Transistors can do this. Even at lower voltages unlike diodes which would need large reverse voltages(several hundreds of volts) but the conduction after the breakdown is reached wont be as sharp as transistor.I guess a typical diac can be used instead of transistor in this circuit because it has similar characteristics needed for circuit to work. The reason this circuit failed to work for some people is because of resistor used in rc series connection that go with transistor. I recommend using variable resistor and to adjust the resistance until flashing is observed.

[@suddencucumber5994]

how does it work, if the base of the transistor is not connected to anything?

[@curiosity551]

It uses reverse voltage across Emitter collector junction to cause breakdown.

[@adamtsang3233]

Was 220uf the final capacitor used does anyone know?

[@curiosity551]

+Adam Tsang yes that was 220uf.

[@adamtsang3233]

r!shi kesh thank you

[@sathviksaravan3974]

My led glows without blinking for a second and then gets dimmer and dimmer and then stops glowing

[@xsauce3858]

Sathvik Saravan rip led

[@adithyasm201]

Add a shunt resistor to the base with positive voltage

[@jyt769]

Can I use 9volts battery?

[@curiosity551]

Probably not.

[@garywatson8602]

I Can't Get mine to Blink Either

[@tigercat1690]

It works. You made a mistake.

[@evelynma1718]

Oh yay faded!!!!

[@mousumisarkar721]

can i use bc 547 instead of 2n2222

[@Riamis5031]

Plz reply I also have a same question????

[@curiosity551]

You need to try. Every transistor has different charcteristics. 2n2222 and bc547 have different pinouts as well so you need to flip the transistor if you try with bc547.

[@innovaterprashantha914]

one circuit which led glowing

[@krioisawesome6382]

Me still wondering what a transistor is

[@LukasKasimir]

I quickly build it and... doesn't work. Not surprised...

[@tigercat1690]

It´s working. You made a mistake.

[@AMITSHARMA-xo2cn]

Any N.P.N transistor can be used in this circuit like BC547 & BC548...??

[@curiosity551]

AMIT SHARMA yes you can use any of these range...just note the pinout for them before using them. bc547 and bc548 have the different pinout in terms of emitter and collector.

[@AMITSHARMA-xo2cn]

r!shi kesh Yes I know that. BC548 middle pin is base, right is collector, left is emitter.

[@curiosity551]

AMIT SHARMA yeah so you got to make changes accordingly thats it...

[@damainx]

NO, use only 2n2222. Because, due to faults in the transistor, it's actually a negistor, which, makes all of this work.

[@AMITSHARMA-xo2cn]

Xyzpdq Xpdqyz Negistor...!!! What's that..?? How is it different from a transistor..??

[@ashwinrock5135]

This music is not good but your video is nice

[@patty1991]

Thats it ! My Fake ac 'Simulator with 3 elements loooooool

[@tnamen1307]

Your wrong. How the capacitor discharge take place. The capacitor is connected parallel to the led. Your circuit always allow current flows into the led but never discharging.

[@anaunaga5471]

this is damaging the transistor im pretty sure

[@johansmit4798]

How does current flow through the transistor if there are no traces of voltage at the base of the transistor?

[@curiosity551]

+Johan Smit if you look carefully its a npn transistor and normally the emitter goes to negative and positive to collector.but in this case we have reversed it.so when the voltage reaches a particular breakdown voltage the current starts flowing.

[@imho2278]

not for very long apparently.

[@imrulkayes1914]

how to do this with 9v battery?

[@dvid6202]

what is the name of that board in which you connect the wires with the other components?

[@HolidayDecorator]

It actually has another name, but it slips my mind what it's called, but it's not called just a breadboard. Little more to it, but for the life of me I can't think of the name.

[@andyneipert2527]

Wair did you get serk bord from?

[@elapt1c]

*circuit and its a breadboard

[@ntnsonwale4381]

👍 Bro.. I think it's osaki oscillator..

[@curiosity551]

+N!T!N Sonwale thanks! Well, its called esaki oscillator

[@ntnsonwale4381]

Oooh I'm sorry !!!!

[@tonysfun]

Why doesn't this work when I tried it several times? This isn't a working circuit! Why don't you tell the truth about it? There are people out there, like me, that want to learn electronics, but with videos like this misleading one is a shame!

[@rentapallisundar6586]

is this circuit is used with 5volts

[@curiosity551]

+RENTAPALLI SUNDAR its actually 12v

[@lauteesien7260]

I tried it on simulation but it didnt light up? Can i know what is the reason?

[@nicolasgruter9127]

the guy made a fake circuit

[@curiosity551]

You must be kidding. Nothing on my channel is ever fake.

[@ajithkumaru]

What are resister and capacitor values if I am using 6V supply

[@tigercat1690]

This circuit does not work with 6 V. It needs about 11.6 V.

[@ziaratziarati499]

vehry thanks

[@harshadrokade201]

Bro this is not working

[@tigercat1690]

It´s working. You made a mistake.

[@flightsimguy3897]

There is nothing in the base so it is not working

[@mohsinrasul7140]

How do i make it strobe once every minute?

[@curiosity551]

Try using different values of cap. You will need a large capacitor.

[@mohsinrasul7140]

@@curiosity551 thanks for replying. I dont have a large capacitor - would connecting two in series make a difference and slow the strobe rate down?

[@curiosity551]

Connecting in parallel will increase capacitance. But you will need many.

[@mohsinrasul7140]

@@curiosity551 got it, thanks

[@ashwin2594]

Can Someone explain it working / operation of led flasher in detail

[@peatmoss4415]

It's called an Esaki Oscillator, at least 12VDC and read the datasheet for the transistor you are using to correctly use the Collector, Emitter and (Base not needed). And use a resistor to protect the LED.

[@aushikarganesh9692]

Can i use bc 547 transistor

[@voltariantechnologyinc.8594]

It's equivalent to the 2n2222, so yes.

[@funwithcircuits8222]

what is the name of the background music you used

[@yeahyeah1042]

Fade - Alan walker

[@ankushtekade9166]

Hello sir, mike yek red led ki 1 foot strip ko flasher led Mai banana hai plz guild me or make some video for that

[@curiosity551]

+Ankush Tekade ok...mai video banane wala hu uske upar. KZbin pe 4017ic project dekho.

[@ankushtekade9166]

Single transistor pr kitane led run ho shakte hai

[@curiosity551]

+Ankush Tekade ek transistor pe 1 led ho sakti hai

[@levistrnad2965]

12v is a lot for this tiny circuit

[@tigercat1690]

About 11.6 v volts are necessary for this cicuit. Lower is not possible.

[@voltariantechnologyinc.8594]

True, but it only draws 1.5 - 2 milliamps.

[@damainx]

Can't seem to get mine to blink, it just remains on.

[@curiosity551]

Xyzpdq Xpdqyz make sure you are using 12v supply , make sure your transistor is NPN also emitter is connected to positive side which is reverse biased. base is not connected anywhere.

[@damainx]

I finally got this to work. Here are some additional observations; 1. you DO NOT need a 12v supply, a 9v worked just fine, 2. you can use lower values of capacitors in parallell to increase capacitance and therefore slower flashes, 3. the positive of the cap(s) must be at the collector, but, should be before the resistor, 4. the negative must be at the led's ground, but NOT on the ground rail - something like between the cathode and current limiting resistor (100 - 330 ohm works fine). It was only after I made the adjustment on 4 did it work properly. Other notes, so far, only 2n2222 worked, as, it's a lousy transistor but great negistor. The initial schematic that I think everyone followed, was, wrong.

[@ShayanQuanta]

could you provide a diagram according to your success design ?

[@damainx]

I can send you a Fritzing if you want.

[@damainx]

gimme email

[@wahabstyle5805]

Capacitor is 220uf and you didn't mention the capacitor voltage

[@curiosity551]

+Wahab Style its 12v

[@wahabstyle5805]

It's battery voltage or capacitor voltage?

[@curiosity551]

+Wahab Style voltage for capacitor could be anything more than 12v.

[@wahabstyle5805]

Thanks 😃

[@russtorque2993]

Sonny! It's best that u experiment with different capacitor voltages for your own knowledge and see what works best to your likeness.

[@gunsandkithes6900]

how this can work there is no base voltage!!!!

[@tigercat1690]

Base is not used for this circuit. It´s based on the Esaki Oscillator. Google it.

[@gunsandkithes6900]

@@tigercat1690 but use that circuit in both in simulation and breadboard, nothing blinks

[@tigercat1690]

@@gunsandkithes6900 This circuit does not work in a simulation, cause all simulators expect the base connected. In the real world on a breadboard the circuit works. It is necessary that you use a minimum vcc of 12,0 v, otherwise it will not work.

[@gunsandkithes6900]

@@tigercat1690 thanks dude

[@chrislewis2262]

I like projects but seems the simplest is to just buy a flashing LED

[@HolidayDecorator]

Agree, that is my preferred way of needing a flashing L.E.D. in a project, unless I need a specific flash rate, then I'll build a circuit, otherwise, get a 5V, 12V, 24V or 120V premade Flasher L.E.D. and use that. Then I only need two wires and nothing else to clutter up the area to make it flash

[@amandojosuecontrerasareval2331]

Mote fun making one

[@drankkkkkk]

mine doesn't work at all, doesn't even turn on the led

[@curiosity551]

You need a 12v supply to make it work.

[@radicaltotal9204]

Fake. I try this with new component at 12 v but it doesn't work

[@AnimilesYT]

Great music. I love Alan Walker. But that quality is just unacceptable. It's stuttery and glitchy. It ruins everything nice about it :/

[@aigleblanc3966]

Hello et alors cela me fait une belle jambe hi

[@vipulreddy2667]

And 4.7 ohms

[@arbremagique6253]

what a music

[@peterhall8797]

Compagnon Brun Faded instrumental Version by Alan walker

[@loucosporroboticaanimatron9193]

👍👍

[@pauloemer.5402]

Olha quem eu encontrei aqui pena que parou de postar vídeos

[@naughtydest]

For more electronics Projects click here facebook.com/volamptech/

[@xsauce3858]

12 v super inefficient. why dont you try to make it work with 3v dc power

[@curiosity551]

You need higher voltage to cause breakdown between emitter collector junction. 3v is too low for that.

[@JinnaiT]

also how is it inefficient, you're not using hardly any current

[@danielf950]

Didn't know capacitors had cathodes...

[@HolidayDecorator]

They don't. Only L.E.D.'s have an Cathode and an Anode. I know they used to call some old Tube style TV's and Radios used "Cathode ray" tubes, but that was the picture tube in the days before newer electronic L.C.D. and L.E.D. HDTV's we have now. Not sure what a Cathode tube was in the old radios, was still a wee bit young when those finally phased out.

[@danielf950]

Key Lock hey, mate. I was being ironic, but thank you for your kindness in answering it! :-)

[@curiosity551]

Tantalum electrolytic caps do have polarities. Fed them with opposite polarities and they will explode or atleast get pretty hot...

[@danielf950]

r!shi kesh absolutely, but technically, that's not a cathode. That was my point.

[@HolidayDecorator]

Quite aware Electrolytic capacitors have + and - markings on them, some only have a -, others only have a +, being in electronics for over 40+ years and building circuits since I was 6 years old, never have I ever heard of an Electrolytic cap having an cathode or an anode, only diodes have that distinction, whether or not it's an L.E.D. or a standard diode or even a zener for that matter. And I know all about "exploding electrolytics", we used to feed reverse voltages to bad ones we'd take out of circuits when I was a tech just to make them POP or explode. Between them and diodes, when you let the magic smoke out of them, they smell pretty bad. LOL

[@thrilokachandran.3693]

It is not a right circuit. It will not work at all.

[@mrssylli2]

It dosen,t work

[@pas1022]

DOESN'T WORK

[@amirrahiminia2556]

2N2222 Breakdown voltage is 30v not 12 volt.

[@alvieteal]

Best I can tell the transistor has no effect lol

[@philtaylor2364]

I'm new to electronics. So, could i make this without transistor? Thanks